Acts 7:55 “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,”
I can think of no greater stress than that which Stephen experienced when he stood before the hateful Jewish court. They were a murderous lot that was bent on killing Stephen and squashing the developing Christian Church. They thought that they had put an end to it when they Crucified Jesus Christ, but He rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven, and then the Church grew exponentially. Now Stephen is the focus of their ire, and they intended to stone him. Yet, Stephen never waivered in his faith in and allegiance to the Lord. He took the opportunity to preach one more mighty sermon, declaring the Glory of our Lord and condemning them for rejecting the Lord. As he looked death right in the face, the Lord comforted him and strengthened him when he “looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God”! Our Lord’s Holy Compassion and Sovereign Power was revealed as He showed Himself “standing on the right hand of God”. Previously, “when he had by himself purged our sins” He “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). But, now His faithful servant is suffering, and He knows it, and lets him know that he is not alone, and that sweet Rest is just ahead. Stephen was so comforted and empowered at such a majestic scene that, as the stones were raining down upon him, “he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60). It is certain that as we strive to faithfully serve our Beloved Lord, the devil and his wicked crew will do everything in their limited power to hinder and stop us; they throw obstacles before us, they try to overwhelm and discourage us, they inflict what they think is debilitating pain, etc. But, as we look Heavenward, and perceive our Blessed Lord “standing on the right hand of God” we receive exhilarating strength and calming comfort as “the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things” (Acts 4:25). Like Stephen, no matter how rough life becomes, we can joyfully continue in our service to our Lord “through Christ which strengtheneth” us (Philippians 4:13)! As Jeremiah declared, in the midst of his troubles, “the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 20:11).